TEACHERS' CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7020, 7 January 1910, Page 5

TEACHERS' CONFERENCE

ELECTION OF INSTITUTE OFFICERS. Tho New Zealand Educational Institute continued its annual meeting yesterday, when tho officers for 1910 wore elected, and representatives of the institute upon the State Educational Conference appointed. FINANCIAL. Tho balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed receipts totalling £1502, including £1052, tho balance to credit of legal defence fund, an increase for tho yoar of £B2 7s 4Jd- Of this amount £32 4s 4d would go to the new benevolent fund. THE OFFICERS. Mr E. 0. Just (North Canterbury) was unanimously elected as president of the institute for tho ensuing year. The retiring president, Mr Macdonald, congratidatod the institute upon selecting one who had dono so much useful work for education. Mr William Foster '(Wellington) was re-olected secretary, and Mr T. Hughes (Christchurch) reappointed treasurer. Tho executive's non-official members are as' follow, those elected at "the present conference being placed first:— North Island—Messrs W. H. Newton (Thames), G. W. Murray (Auckland); Wellington District—Messrs A. Erskine and J. Caughley; South Island— Messrs W. Davidson (Dunedin), J. H. Harkness (Westport). RETIREMENTS.

The president referred with regret to tho retirement from the exentivo of Air G. W. Murray (Auckland), who ■was leaving tho profession, and Mr George MaoMorran (Wellington). Mr Foster (secretary of the institute) referred appreciatively to tho caution and sound judgment of Mr MaoMhrran. who had given invaluablo aid to him in his secretarial work. He moved that a resolution ■expressing the thanks of the institute to Messrs Murray and MaoMorran be recorded in the minutes.

This was adopted wit3i acclamation. Mr MacMorran, in replying, stated that ho had not done with the practical and useful side of the teaching profession. Mr Murray remarked that be was glad to say superoimuatkm was at the back of his retirement. He had mo idea of being " buried alive," but intended to continue to take an active interest in educational matters. THE STATE CONFERENCE.

In accordance with the Government's invitation, the following were elected to represent the public schools at the general conference on education to be held xmder the auspices of the Education Department in February: Representing District High Schools. —Mr H. G. Cousins, 31. A. (Auckland) and Mr J. H. Harkness., B.A. (Westport). Primary Schools under 200 scholars. —Mr R. B. Holmes (Hawke's Bay) and Mr L. F. de Berry (Grey). Infant Departments.—Miss Oraig (Wellington) jund Miss H. Barss (Southland).

PROMOTION OF TEACHERS,

NEED FOE A NATIONAL SCHEME

Mr Newton (Auckland) moved: " That it be an instruction to the incoming executive to make every possible effort to secure by legislation a promotion scheme for teachers." The mover remarked that promotion schemes were in operation in several districts, but with a national system of/ education and a. national scale of salaries it was inconsistent to preserve a local system of promotion of teachers.

Mr Menzies (South Canterbury), who seconded, remarked that he recognised that no promotion scheme would bo complete unless it was a national one.

Mr L. F. do Berry (Grey) remarked that small education districts could not work a promotion scheme, becauso the (Schoojs were uniformly email, and no chance of promotion was available.

Mr Foster (Wellington) stated that his district had agreed to await the result, of the Auckland experiment. It had not been made clear where the failure had occurred in the Auckland scheme.

Mr Davidson (Dnnedin) stated that the working of promotion schemes in the big cities created a barrier against all those who were in the small districts elsewhere. Such an arrangement was decidedly unjust to the enthusiastic teachers who went into the backblooks in small education districts, and sooner or later public opinion would demand a more equitable arrangement. Perhaps if there Were only four education districts corresponding to the university areas, promotion schemes could bo better worked. Mr Cousins (Auckland) stated that the Auckland Board, in drawing up its scheme of promotion, had the assistance of a member, who had been a teacher and inspector. Complaints were heard from -teachers who did not think they were placed high enough, but this was natural, and the list was being revised from time to time. Individual members of the board had set themselves, apart from the friends of the candidate, and consistently sent forward for selection by the school committee the name highest on the list. Thu 3 any mistake was a mistake of judgment on the part of the inspectors in arranging the order of the list. The Auckland Board deserved all honour for sacrificing its personal interests to benefit the teachers, thus killing for over that, patronage which had been the disgrace of the service in the past. (Applause). The motion was unanimously agreed to. TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS. The subcommittee appointed to review certain remits dealing with the subject of teachers' examinations, submitted the following report, which was unanimously adopted :—"That the attention of the Minister for Education be drawn to the unreasonably long sewing papers set for the teachers' 'D' • . certificate examination, and ©specially to the fact that the questions on 'cutting out' have been on lines neither practical nor educative." "That the Education Department be asked to alter clause 34 01 the regulations for tho examination and classification of teachers so that in the event of the whole examination not being taken at one time, tho fee pay\ble of each subject shall bo 55." "congested playgrounds. "That the Minister for Education be respectfully asked to consider the following facts:—(a) That many school playgrounds are unduly congested; (b) jhat jsany others are likely soon

to be in a similar state; (c) that in some parts of the larger towns children have not space for suitable play; (d) that as play forms tho basis of physical and mental development in the child, it is necessary for tho national gorxl that provision should bo made for the acquirement in the present and future, of larger areas for playgrounds."—(Auckland). i This remit was cordially supported by tho delegates, and Mr J. Caughley (Wellington) gave some instances of the'cramped conditions at North Island schools which had coma under Iris notice. He knew of a playground so small that the children could not stand in line to assemble, while another playground was so small that it had to" bo asphalted, or it would be trodden into a quagmire. ~ ] SALARIES AND TRANSFERS. Mr H. A. Parkinson (Wellington) moved: "That'the salaries provided for assistants in secondary departments of district high schools aro not in proportion to those in other branches of school work and ought to bo substantially increased." It was pointed out during tho discussion that tho salaries for secondary assistants wore often less than those in tho primary department, though the primary school teachers instructed a much larger number of pupils. Tho remit was adopted. On the motion of Mr G. W. Oarrington (Otago), seconded by Mr R. Campbell (Auckland), tho conference resolved: "That in the case of transfer of teachers, when such transfer is brought about by falling attendance or othor adverse circumstances, the removal expenses- bo paid by the Educational Department." GENERAL RESOLUTIONS. Othor remits adopted wore as follow: "That history should be placed in group I of the subjects for tho examination for class D certificates."— (Wellington). "That in. uhe interests of education, co-rolatiou between the several departments of education in the Dominion is urgently needed."—(Auckland). "That in view of the great benefits accruing to education through the issue of Saturday . concession, tickets to teachers, the Minister be respectfully asked to'continue the present concessions to attend classes."—(North Canterbury). "Thait the Education Department be asked to formulate regulations as to sick leave granted to teachers, taking into consideration length of service while drafting these; and also to allow for the granting of leave of absence on full pay after certain periods of service as is tike case in some of the Australian States."—(Southland). "That this institute urge upon the Education Department that the officers of the Health Department should regularly and systematically., inspect the schools and the school children of New Zealand."—(South Canterbury). ''That this ins-fiTtute expresses dissatisfaction ■with the number of returns required from teachers, and is of opinion ttet the number should be reduced and the form simplified." (Auckland). "That teachers' residences should be fitted with modern conveniences." (Auckland). The conference adjourned at 10 p.m., and' will meet this morning at 9 o'clock!